Psychopharmacology Study Guide

what is the largest and most commonly prescribed anxiolytic drug class?

Benzodiazepines

what neurotransmitter is most implicated in anxiety?

Serotonin

3 psychiatric clinical uses of anti anxiety agents other than anxiety?

- phobia

- panic

- alcohol withdrawal

paradoxical reaction

a reaction of a medication that you wouldn't expect. give Benadryl and you get hyper instead

what beverage do you avoid when taking benzodiazepines?

alcohol

abrupt withdrawal of long-term therapy with benzodiazepines ...

seizures

chemically, depression is thought to be from...

not enough serotonin or norepinephrine

4 side effects of anticholinergics

- dry mouth

- blurred vision

- constipation

- urinary retention

types of antidepressants

-SSRI

-MAOI

-TCA

**BZD is NOT

8 common symptoms of tricyclic antidepressants

-blurred vision

- constipation

-urinary retention

-orthostatic hypotension

-reduction of seizure threshold

-tachycardia

photosensitivity

-weight gain

what happens is a patient taking a monamine oxidase inhibitor eats food high in tyramine?

hypertensive crisis

what food/beverages high in tyramine should be avoided while taking an MAOI?

-aged cheeses

-raisins

-red wines

-smoked/processed meats

-fava beans

-pickled hering

-corned beef

-chicken/beef liver

what time do you take SSRI?

early in day due to insomnia/agitation

s/s of serotonin syndrome

-mental status chnage

-resltessness

-myoclonus

-hyperreflexia

-tachycardia

-labile blood pressure

-diaphoresis

-shivering tremors

bruxism

grinding of teeth due to situational anxiety or intense concentration

why do you use caution with SSRIs and Bipolar disorder

risk for inducing mania or worsening depression

S/S of withdrawal from SSRIs

-N/V

-malaise

-weakness

-tachycardia

-sweating

-anxiety

-irritability

-orthostatic hypotension

-tremor

-insomnia

priapism

prolonged/inappropriate penile erection as a side effect of Trazadone

lithium is treatment of choice for what?

Bipolar Mania

what are 3 alternative med classifications for people who can't tolerate lithium, or ineffective Lithium, so it will stabile moods

-CCB

-Anticonvulsants

-Antipsychotics

targeted Lithium range, therapuetic

0.6-1.2

what is normal Lithium level

0.6-1.2

why avoid loop diuretics on patient with Lithium therapy

they increase the effects, it can lead to neurotoxicity and decrease pressure sensitivity of sympathomimetics

what instruction is most important for client on Lithium therapy?

drink at least 6-8 glasses of water per day

what med doesn't require frequent drug levels?

Haldol

common side effects of Lithium

-drowsiness

-headaches

-dry mouth/thirst

-GI upset/ N/V

-fine hand tremors

-HTN

-polyuria

-wt. gain

-pulse irregularities

toxic effects of Lithium

- blurred vision

-severe diarrhea

-ataxia

-tinnitus

-persistent N/V

-excessive dilute urine

-increasing tremors

-mental confusion

-muscular irritability

-giddiness

-psychomotor retardation

what chemical imbalance results in hallucinations and delusion

excess dopamine

2 other terms for antipsychotic meds

-neuropleptic

-major tranquilizers

decanoate

-Atypical Antipsychotic

-Haldol

-markedly increased duration of effect

3 uses of antipsychotics other than psychosis?

- tourettes

- Bipolar Disorder- Mania

-Antiemetics (for intractable hiccups)

antipsychotic meds

-Haldol

-Thorazine

-Risperdal

**NOT is Elavil (antidepressant)

what is AIMS

abnormal involuntary movement scale

-measures involuntary movements associated with tardire dyskinesia- aids in early detection of movement disorders and provides a means for ongoing surveillance

TRUE/FALSE: antacids may decrease absorption of antipsychotic meds

TRUE

why should antipsychotics be given hs.

due to high sedation rate

patient on antipsychotic drugs shows signs of muscle rigidity, fever, diaphoresis, and fluctuating BP. what action taken first?

-suspect NMS and call physician

pt. receiving clozapine (clozaril) should have which of the following laboratory tests performed weekly/ or bi-weekly?

-WBC count

dystonia

involuntary muscular movement of face, arms, legs, and neck. mostly in men <25

akathisia

continuous restlessness and fidgeting. mostly in women. symptoms 50-60 a day

pseudoparkinsonism

tremors, shuffling gait, drooling, rigidity. s/s appear 1-5 days following initiation of antipsychotic meds. mostly in women, elderly, and dehydrated

tardive dyskinesia

bizarre facial and tongue movements, stiff neck, difficulty swallowing

which extrapyramidal side effect is considered potentially irreversible?

Tardive Dyskinesia

what med used to treat cute dystonic reaction?

cogentin

what classification of meds treats ADHD?

CNS stimulant

3 major problems resulting from prolonged use of stimulants

-tolerance

-dependence

-rebound syndrome

4 approved uses of psychostimulants

-ADHD

-Depression

-Narcolepsy

-Obstructive sleep apnea

drug holidays

period of not taking the drug, when you're hospitalized in full care. it helps to not build up tolerance

amphetamine

-Adderall

-Psychostimulant

sertraline

-Zoloft

-SSRI

chlordiazepoxide

-Librium

-antianxiety agent (benzodiazepine)

valproic acid

-depakote

-anticonvulsant

clozapine

-clozaril

-atypical antipsychotic

fluphenazine

-prolixin decorate

-typical antipsychotic

fluoxetine

-prozac

-SSRI

lorazepam

-ativan

-antianxiety agent

methylphenidate

-ritalin

-psychostimulant

thioridazine

-mellaril

-typical antipsychotic

paroxetine

-paxil

-SSRI

phenelzine

-nordil

-monomine oxidase inhibitor

amitriptyline

-elavil

-tricyclic antidepressant

lithium

-eskalith

-antimanic agent

haloperidol

-haldol

-typical antipsychotic

imipramine

-tofranil

-tricyclic antidepressant

benzotropine

-coquentin

-anticholinergic/antiparkinson

gabapentin

-neurontin

-anticonvulsant

chloropromazine

-thorazine

-typical antipsychotic

lamotrigine

-lamictal

-anticonvulsant

risperidone

risperdal

-atypical antipsychotic

doxepine

-prudoxin

-trycyclic antidepressant